Archive for December, 2010

I know it is only Dec. 30th but this is always the official start of my New Year. Why? Because it is the birthday of my first child, my daughter, Taylor. So my New Year begins now and I look forward to it every year. It’s a reminder that while work and things are important in life – they aren’t the MOST important thing. The most important things can’t be bought. They are the gifts of love, faith, laughter, kindness and joy. Our families bless us daily and give us just a brief glimpse of what heaven must look like.

So while I have some predictions for the New Year in real estate, my biggest prediction is for another year of happiness with a wonderful family and a loving God. I wish the same for you.

It’s that time of year – the time when everyone starts bombarding your email with solicitations for SEVEN ways to get rich, SIX steps for a better year, FOUR ways to get your home sold, THREE things you need to do to guarantee sales success. You get the picture.

I don’t know who started this trend but the minute I see a number associated with an activity – I just zone out. I find the whole thing a little hokey. You want to be successful? ONE THING – WORK hard. You want more money? Work hard. You want happiness? Work hard. It’s really just that simple.

We live in a culture that wants quick fixes to all our problems. That is simply not how life works although it would be nice in theory. To make your life successful you don’t need SEVEN secret tips…you just need to put one foot in front of the other toward your goal and make it work. I promise this is true.

I have one suggestion for you today – decide to be succesful and happy and WORK hard to make it so.

As the New Year approaches I am getting more and more emails with 10 ways to success, 5 ideas for planning your new year, or 17 methods for keeping your clients happy. You get the idea. I am always amused that there are a “magic” “number” of ideas for how to be successful in the coming year.

I hate New Year resolutions to be honest. Everyone starts with the best of intentions and then falls apart about five days into the New Year. Instead, I think you need to have resolutions in your heart year round.

You need to be resolved to:

1. Be kind

2. Be patient

3. Have faith

4. Believe

What do I mean? In this time of uncertainty with a world weary from the fear of what will happen in our future; I choose to believe in the unbelievable. I believe in a world of peace, where people treat each other with respect and kindness. A world filled with loving words toward each other and where there is faith in something greater than us.

I can’t change anyone else – but I can change the way that I think and I resolve to be different in 2011. I believe! May it be so for you too?